Best Replacement Struts and Shocks for a 2nd gen Prerunner

Thanks Sprig. How will the 5100 affect the ride on a stock prerunner? Or should I not even think about it and just stick with the 4600.

 

Absolutely no reason to get 5100’s on a non lifted truck. 5100’s are made for lifted trucks. You can put them on a stock truck but there is no reason to do so unless you plan to lift the truck sometime. 4600’s are 99% the same shock but for non lifted trucks. They both have a similar ride. The 5100 is a little stiffer due to slightly different valving. Very small difference in the valving. 5100’s also cost a little more.
I have a TRD Sport 4x4 not lifted and have the 4600’s. I’m no rock crawler but I spend a lot of time off road hunting and fishing. Rough rutted roads, some 4x4 trails. I spend 80% on the highway. The 4600’s performance is very good for both. They are a little more stiffer ride than the original shocks, but it’s a truck, it shouldn’t ride like a Cadillac.

 

You're saying the 4600s are stiffer than the Sport shocks? I thought the sport shocks are supposed to be incredibly stiff?

 

I have a 4x4 Sport. When I replaced the original shocks with 4600’s the ride seemed a little stiffer. That may be because my original shocks were wore out and the ride had softened over the years. I just know that the 4600’s are replacement shocks for the original factory Bilstein shocks. They are a superior upgrade over the factory shocks.Bilstein 4600 shocks are tuned for a variety of driving conditions, including towing, off-roading, and everyday driving

 

@Sprig Ahh gotcha. I thought 2nd gen Sports came with Hitachi/Tokico shocks but it seems they also came with OEM Bilsteins. I honestly wouldn't mind a stiffer ride

Im either gonna get some 4600s or 3rd gen takeoffs.

 

I went with 3rd gen takeoffs on my '06 Prerunner. I was able to get front coilovers, rear shocks, and UCA's for $300 about a two years ago. They were like new, less than 5K miles. I went ahead and replaced the LCAs, tie rod ends, and sway bar end links. I think in total it cost about $1100. Well worth the cash. My Prerunner rides nice and smooth again. It is nowhere close to as nice as my '22 Pro, but still very good for an 18 year old truck.

 

Mine is a 2nd gen and definitely came with bilsteins, I bought the truck new. The 4600’s definitely stiffened the ride as they should for a truck, especially a 4x4. I’ve had numerous 4x4 trucks over the last 40 years. All have had a stiff ride including my Tundra. I can only speak for my experience but the 4600 is the best all around truck shocks I’ve had on any of my trucks. Not trying to start a What’s the best shock discussion here, just saying in my experience 4600’s are a great shock. If I replace them again it’ll be 4600’s.
Ps
My wife says my truck rides like a buckboard but she has said that about all my trucks

 

Wow. Its been almost a year since I posted this question and realized I didn’t proof read before I submitted. So to correct my post - 2nd paragraph. My son has a 2023 4Runner TRD Limited not a 2014. And he says its a limited. Does this make a difference to any of the responses I received to the original post?

 

I replaced my stock blown out shocks and struts with the KYB units, not the best you can buy for your money but after almost 200k even the KYB's make it feel like a totally new truck.

 

6112/5160 is the minimum.

the question anybody would be curious about is how much better is your life by spending the shit ton of money that Is anything beyond that.

6112/5160 is cheap.

POS turd gen shocks are irrelevant.